John Chromy (October 11, 1942 – October 19, 2024)

John William Chromy, age 82, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, has concluded a full life of service, countless friendships, and worldwide adventures. John was born in New Prague, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm with his parents, Stanley W. Chromy Sr. and Mary R. (Horejsi) Chromy, and his eight siblings. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School in 1960. He attended St. John’s University but left in 1963, answering President Kennedy’s challenge for young Americans to serve in the newly formed Peace Corps. After two years of service in India as a Peace Corps volunteer (1963-65), he returned to St. John’s University and finished his B.A. in History in 1964.

A natural leader, John shared his early adventures with his first wife, Patricia Ward Chromy (1942-1984), and their two daughters, Maureen and Caroline, serving as Peace Corps staff in India (1967-1969) and Peace Corps Director of the Eastern Caribbean (1977-1979). John’s commitment to service and peace impressed the first Director of the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver, and his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics. They appointed him U.S. National Director for Special Olympics in 1981. In 1990 John joined CHF International (now Global Communities), a humanitarian aid organization with close ties to the Peace Corps. He served in several leadership positions and developed the Community and Economic Revitalization through Democratic Action program model, which emphasizes economic development, job creation, community stabilization, and infrastructure reconstruction led from and by local communities rather than political or national leaders. In 2003, Global Communities created its “Sargent Shriver Award” to honor individuals who best embody the ideals of the Peace Corps selecting John as the first recipient, with Sargent Shriver himself presenting the award.

Throughout his life, John enjoyed time with his family and friends, sharing good food and thoughtful dialogue with everyone he met, from hometown friends, local people from all walks of life and heads of state, many of whom he met in his travels to over 55 countries. He continued his travels and his joy of life with his wife Nora Rodriguez Chromy over the last four decades in Washington D.C./Maryland. He remained an advocate and documentarian of the Peace Corps and all its accomplishments.

John is survived by his wife, Nora Rodriguez Chromy; his daughters Maureen (John) Nichols, Caroline (Tom) Gort and Monica (Keith) Kellison; his grandchildren, William Nichols, Emily Nichols, Max Gort, Shania Kellison, Janelle Kellison, and Alexis Kellison; his siblings, Tom (Diane) Chromy, Richard (Jan) Chromy, and Anne Marie Becker; sisters-in-law, Mary Catherine Chromy, Violet Chromy, and Karen Chromy; brother-in-law, Norman Hallet; many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 28, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. Visitation will take place at Bruzek Funeral Home on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Monday morning from 7:30 am – 9:30 am. Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery followed by lunch at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to St. Wenceslaus Catholic School Endowment Fund, 227 Main St. E. New Prague, MN 56071, or St. John’s University (please designate Class of 1964 Endowment Fund) P.O. Box 7222, Collegeville MN 56321.

Posted by Glenn Blumhorst for Peace Corps Worldwide

Note: in the coming weeks, Peace Corps Worldwide will be announcing the publication of John Chromy’s research on the impact of Peace Corps programs in countries around the world.